Wednesday, December 30, 2009

well, not exactly dog of the week...I wanted to share that Tere Lang of Tere Lang Studios has been donating $50 from every dog portrait order she receives to the rescue.......above is one of her works...you can find more on her website at Lake Elsinore Studios..below is a photo of Tere with Elizabeth Mardin, founder of the rescue and our son, Don the co-director....Tere is a gift artist and will transform your pet photo into a lovely portrait...her husband, Robert Lang is also an artist..they live and work in Lake Elsinore, California.....

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

We watched the second new movie..Julie and Julia..I really loved it and cracked up when I spied the 99 cent chef's version..... thought you might like it too...he does mention later that he usually uses real butter but the 99 cent store didn't have any the day they filmed...he did use the real deal for the video......we prefer real butter also and use it sparingly..I think its much better and healthier.....I've never been to the Hollywood Farmers Market but it looks fun from the video....doesn't it? There is supposed to be one in Temecula, not too far from us but haven't gone to that one either..guess I lead a sheltered life......there was one here but it sadly closed down last year......the Hollywood one must be a nightmare for parking......traffic in that area is terrible anyway from our experience....the Temecula one looks promising though...parking there is much better.......plus they are open two days a week and in the Old Town area with interesting thrift and antique shops. How much fun would that be?

Its that time of year again when I have to mention the Bible Gateway's reading plan...if you've always wanted to read the Bible through but didn't have the time...this is a wonderful way to start.....the plan starts on Jan. 1st and they will email you a selection every day...I have the selections on the side of my blog every day plus, if you click the tiny little speaker under the selection..you can hear it read.Todays is especially comforting scripture....."Let not your heart be troubled.."

Monday, December 28, 2009

I signed up some time ago to belong to Blog Spark...it belongs to General Mills and you get free coupons for items if you promise to blog about them. free coupons, information and coupon link have all been provided by General Mills through My Blog Spark...I got 4 free coupons for cereal last week and just got my 4 boxes....I chose two boxes for my 18 year old and two for me...he got Reeses Puffs and Cinnamon Toast Crunch...I got Honey Nut Cherrios and Fiber One.....I have never tried the Fiber One so had it this morning...I can say it was very good....I don't like overly sweet cereals and this one was just right....it has nuts and raisins in the variety I chose.I've been trying to lose weight and have to confess I often skip breakfast..I am just not a breakfast person but this might change my mind...the calorie content is fairly low and its seems to be filling.....I have lost about 10 lbs so far so am on the right track.Anything that keeps me from getting hungry and low calorie is a winner....it will be interesting to see what they offer next.....it was fun having the clerk ring these up and then putting$ 00 behind them....we did have to do them all separately and the women who was behind us in line was amazed.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

We had a very nice holiday...ate too much..the turkey was golden brown and wonderful..after roasting for almost 8 hours...it was a big one and I packed up 3 big bags of turkey parts for the freezer..plus another two bags for sliced turkey for sandwiches/casseroles...wow...what a blessing...so great to have a freezer full of good stuff.....

Alan gave me two movies for Christmas..we watched one yesterday afternoon while digesting.....Night at the Museum, Battle for the Smithsonian....it was very cute and fun..we all really enjoyed it......the other movie he got was Julie/Julia which I will probably see today......its a comedy also.......and supposedly based on a true story about a blogger who sets about recreating Julia Child's first book, following her life for a year........I always liked Julia Child so think it will be a fun movie....

Our local mountains are covered with snow and look so pretty...its cold here at night, in the high 20s but warms up nicely during the days....it was in the low 70s yesterday and while everything was cooking, Alan and I worked a little outside in the garden.....we transplanted a sago palm into the new flower bed that Alan had made last fall......it wasn't doing too well in the pot we had it in....discovered it was root bound.....it has loads of room now and will be happier, I think....can hardly wait now to plant more and get the garden going.....but it will be a few months....we did get the new Burpee catalog which is fun to explore......together we trimmed off the bottom leavesof the sago..these can get very large and there is enough space here....sago's are not a true palm but a rather ancient plant...this one is a little yellow from being root bound...

the geraniums are still blooming...these are in a planter box next to the house....so they're protected from the cold ...the color in the photo isn't true..they are a deeper coral than shown..these were from starts I found this past summer......

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Rudy is one of the lucky dogs who is being fostered...his foster mom says he is a 2 year old dachshund mix..she says he has a cheerful energetic personality...he likes other small dogs but is a little shy around new people until he knows them.....he loves older children but as he is small, not recommend for little ones.....he can walk on a leash well, is housebroken and uses a doggy door....he weighs about 12 lbs.........fostering is great for many of these little ones....they are in warm and loving home waiting for their forever one and its an easier transition when they are adopted......you can find out more about Rudy, see the other dogs..get an application..or donate to the rescue here

We did some last minute shopping yesterday..I've done most of mine online....the stores were crowded, the parking lot crowded..and we saw some near accidents....I am glad we only had a few things to pick up and did it here in town....didn't go to the big mall but our smaller one here in Menifee.......plus we helped our local economy.......afterward we went to In and Out..treated ourselves to a good hamburger.....I have our big turkey thawing and tomorrow morning will make pies..a pumpkin and a cherry....plus I am planning on baking some date muffins for Christmas breakfast...all sugar free of course.....we will a simple breakfast of muffins and fruit....and then eat the big feast in the afternoon....plan on calling some family also..... our family are all out of state....

we will have turkey, garlic mashed potatoes/gravy, steamed brussel sprouts, green salad with avocado and more of the cranberry salad/relish that Alan makes....Alan wants me to make a salmon log that my aunt used to make..its delish and has won a few prizes in cooking contests.....we both love salmon and its so healthy for you......I serve this with crackers as a snack or light meal.....

1 tall can of salmon1 8 oz. cream cheese, softened1 T. lemon juice2 t. grated onion1 t. horseradishMix all the above together and form into a log...I go through the salmon and remove all the black skin and bones first.....Roll the log in a mixture of finely chopped parsley, 1/4 t. liquid smoke and 1/2 cup chopped pecans...Its good to let this sit for a few hours or the day before it get the flavor throughout..I wrap it in waxed paper and put in the the fridge.......any leftovers make a great sandwich too...

If you like Meinheim Steamroller..I found that that the Pentagon TV station is showing their Christmas show..on Christmas day here......wonderful music...I have it set to record....if you get that station, its worth taping..

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Friday, December 18, 2009

I baked these this morning...they are delish...indulge in chocolate frosted cookies with a marshmallow center......

I used a double chocolate chunk cookie mix.....bake as usual...be sure to not make the cookies too large..I added a cup of chopped pecans also.....after about 7 or 8 minutes of baking, place a halved large marshmallow on top of each cookie and return to the oven for about 2 minutes to soften the marshmallow...take out......let cook on pan for a minute or two, then put on rack to cool......after cooling, frost with your favorite chocolate icing, be sure to cover the marshmallow completely....easy and just a little decadent.....these are really good with a glass of cold milk......

In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips, stir until smooth....(it took a little over a minute to melt). Stir in the powdered sugar, vanilla wafer crumbs, walnuts, orange juice and corn syrup. Mix well.....Roll into 1 inch balls: roll in additional powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container...makes about two dozen or more, depends on how large of balls you make....its good to let them sit for a day or so to get the flavor through them.

Christmas Cookie Rules...

1. If you eat a Christmas cookie fresh out of the oven,it has no calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is thetest and thus calorie free.

2. If you drink a diet soda after eating your secondcookie, it also has no calories because the diet soda cancels out thecookie calories.

3. If a friend comes over while you're making yourChristmas cookies and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend.Because your friends first cookie is calories free, (rule #1) yours isalso. It would be rude to let your friend sample alone and, being thefriend that you are, that makes your cookie calorie free.

4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking aroundwill fall to your feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is dueto gravity and the density of the caloric mass.

5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of theChristmas cookies will be used up because it takes many calories to lickexcess frosting from a knife without cutting your tongue.

6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories.Red ones have three and green ones have five - one calorie for eachletter. Make more red ones!

7. Cookies eaten while watching "Miracle on 34th Street"have no calories because they are part of the entertainment package andnot part of one's personal fuel.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Introducing Mikko, a 5 year old Lhasa Apso mix.....he is very playful and loves children...one of the most playful sweet dogs in the rescue..he looks hopeful, doesn't he? He's small under 15 lbs and perfect for a family, or couple......intelligent too! you can find Mikko at the Sun City K9 Rescue,,just click on the link for more information...or to donate........

I am posting this old song by Bing Cosby...I remember Dad playing this every Christmas.....hope you enjoy it as much as I do......

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Well, my baking plans were put on hold yesterday...Alan came home and wanted me to go to Victorville for a re keying job...its a 75 mile trip one way so armed with Motrin and cough drops..we went......I do like the high desert and always am up for going...we bundled up with an extra sweatshirt as our experience in winter up there has been a chilly one......

There wasn't any snow on the lower mountains at all.....Alan had me take some shots like the one above...he likes to make computer jigsaw puzzles out of them....lots of shadows and crevices......I took tons of photos.hopefully some he'll be able to use.....coming back, took some traffic night scenes with all the lights which should be fun to put together too......

We both really liked the house...it was very nice and very clean....a easy job actually....the house was on a large lot...close to an acre with desert views....3 bedrooms, a family room, living room..modern very nice kitchen..and dining room...with a deck outside in the back....the carpet was in new condition...a nice blue color throughout..its actually move in ready...would be a nice place to retire to..quite dead end street with good looking homes.....all you could hear was a distant train whistle..and the wind.....as the afternoon wound down, we were about done when a car pulled up and the realtor got out.......he came to take photos of the house....I was able to ask him how much he thought the house would sell for...he said a little over 100,000...which is a good price for so much land + a nice home.....Victorville has quite a few shops and stores....nice restaurants and such........its grown alot in the last 20 years. We think this would be a good investment.....We got back after dark...it was a good afternoon and kinda nice to get out after a week at home...

I've been searching for my old cookbook with Grandma's recipe.....haven't found it yet......if I can't find it today..guess I'll have to email my aunt. I hope she has it......hope everyone is prepared for Christmas next week....can't believe its almost here.....!

Monday, December 14, 2009

After resting most of the weekend..I am on the mend..no more coughing and feeling 80% better so thanks for the good thoughts and prayers.....this week I am concentrating on baking and such...and will post a few recipes in a day or so.

Our younger son and I are going to make cookies to give to a few of the neighbors and send some out to the dog rescue...I found some new and different cooky recipes to try but will also make some old favorites....I think I will dig up my grandmothers recipe for lemon bars..she called them Lemon O Nut bars....they were wonderful......she would send us a box every Christmas with cookies, and lemon bars...little surprises too....like jigsaw puzzles and coloring books when we were little.....I wonder if my brother remembers?

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days..been sick......it always seems to settle in my throat and I have been coughing alot......Alan got me medicine today and it is helping quite a bit..hard to sleep otherwise.....I sleep better sitting up so have been sleeping in a recliner in the living room...its so sweet, the cats keep me company..today I have a little more energy so am doing a few light house tasks..mainly laundry......life goes on even when I am stopped cold for a few days...LOLOur weather has been wet and today is no exception....we are getting frequent light showers but it is warmer than the first storm........so glad we are actually having a wet winter after drought for 4 years......and these light showers are great for the garden...we put alot of grass clippings and leaves over it..in the spring, we will till it all in...with more good compost.....should have a good crop of tomatoes next year.....

Alan has been very busy this week doing foreclosures so the crisis, at least here in southern California isn't getting any better...he's re keyed at least 20 homes this week and was at two lock outs....he has more scheduled for next week too.....the realtors tell us we will busy for weeks to come......good for us, but sad work.....

When I was about 12 or 13, I was in Girls Glee Club ...this carol is one of the many we sang for the Christmas season..and one of my favorites...plus I just love piano music.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

I recently discovered a great blog..The Feathered Nest....Dawn also has two selling blogs..and makes the loveliest little bluebird egg soaps I've ever seen.....she also has a site where she sells crafting tutorials, like the one above......isn't this collage sweet? I ordered two of the tutorials.....right now they are on sale....buy one get one free and the price is only $5.00...I ordered the Christmas Treasury tutorial... often I find single salt shakers and wondered what to do with them.....what a great idea!

thanks so much for the donations the rescue received....Don is working very hard to upgrade and remodel the rescue.......and you are right, Bobble is so cute.....I can't imagine he will be there long....I wanted to bring him home...but don't think the cats would appreciate him...there are just some that steal your heart........

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

we went out to the rescue the other day and met this little charmer...they call him Bobble.....and he's just a pup..about 6-7 weeks old...I fell in love with him...when I picked him up, he gave my ears a good cleaning..what a sweetie....he is a terrier/chihuahua mix and as cute as can be....he's going to be tiny, probably less than 10 lbs.....right now he has the run of the office, a typical puppy with lots of energy, healthy so don't worry, he's not in his kennel much.....he's make a great Christmas present..but I wouldn't recommend him for young children as he's a little delicate.....you can find out about the rescue here...the only no kill rescue in the Menifee Valley....donations are gratefully accepted.......For my new readers...my son manages the Sun City K-9 Rescue .....he's always loved all animals and this has become his life's work.......you can find out alot more by clicking the above link.......

News Flash!....the American Fence Company has donated all new fencing for the rescue! plus a local landscaping company has donated 18 palm trees.....the same company is working with our son to create a large exercise area for the dogs.. and a pet memorial park ......they are bringing in a professional landscaper to do the work........the place is hopping right now.....If you'd like to help...right now they need to bring in a large dumpster for removing alot of refuse, and for remodeling of the barn......and need about $150.00 for the dumpster rental...Don is working to move most of the small, medium sized dogs into the barn at night...its getting quite cold here in the evenings, below freezing! You can donate through Paypal at the above link and just mark it for re modeling or dumpster...its a tax deductible donation.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

A few more photos of Christmas decorating...this is a runner with a swedish theme going on ...I thought I had other place mats but only found these red quilted ones so far ..its always a hunt to find things around here...in the background, the quilted star hoops I made (they are listed on Etsy) from a vintage Christmas quilt and a little tree..its decked with vintage cooky cutters...the boys put the leaf in the table at Thanksgiving, and we decided to just leave it in...also in the kitchen, I have a very old little curio cabinet....where I usually keep our canisters and such...changed it a bit....last year I made this swag using jute, and some faux gingerbread men and donuts....using some homespun and red beads too....I also made a faux plum pudding...

here's a close up of the pudding.......found the right sized mold, using a small unusual shaped bowl (thrift store find) and making paper mache from newspaper (a little messy)...when it was dry, I unmolded it, and put a base coat of white craft paint....when that was dry, I painted it with a prim mixture, walnut stain...and very strong coffee......did that twice, then sealed it with clear shiny modge podge...the "holly" leaves are from that same vintage Christmas quilt..I cut out leaf shapes baking them with felt...and the holly berries are red beads...The basket is one I found at our local thrift shop....see, Grandma was right..you can make something from nothing.

This large snowglobe isn't very old....but its unusual in where I found it.....about 10 years ago, we did the maintenance for our condo association..part of the job was cleaning around the dumpsters...as I was throwing boxes that had accumulated around the area..I picked up one to toss it in, when I noticed it was fairly heavy.....when I opened the box, this large globe was in it.......perfect condition..its a music box also and plays Santa is coming to Town while small figures revolve around the bottom.....a real find!The runner is one I found at a garage sale for a whole .50..guess they didn't realize barkcloth was so valuable and valued.......Lastly, another little round table (I think I am addicted to them) with a crocheted tablecloth and a little hurricane candle...

Monday, December 7, 2009

We managed to get the tree up and today, I was able to find the ornament boxes, even found the yo yo tree skirt I made two years ago.......we have so many ornaments..this isn't even all of them....we both love Christmas and have collected tons after 36 years of marriage......I plan on handing some over to the kids when they have homes of their own.........here is one special ornament that I especially like... the boys dressed up as clowns..Christmas was so much fun when they were little

I have about 50 of different Campbells soup kids ornaments...

here is one of the shoe ornaments, I won from Penniwigs..

I still have a few of my grandmothers ornaments she made back in the 1960s...these little glittered pinecones......

I took a lot more photos of more decorating, but that's enough for today..its very dark, cold and rainy here....Don took his motorcycle out, and didn't realize how wet/cold it was..he came back about 45 minutes later, absolutely chilled and soaked to the bone..he's selling the bike this evening and wanted one last ride...the insurance is just getting to be too much....he's sad about it but is relieved too..he is able to sell for a small profit.....and have a lighter insurance bill....

hope you are getting all your shopping done...I've ordered everything online..so much easier.....so parking woes..no crowds..good selections.....I've done this now for the last 4 years and have found the holidays alot more stress free and pleasant....it will be cooky time soon.I wait until a week or so before so they are fresh and good.......found several new recipes I want to try plus some old favorites.......

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Using the random number generator, I am announcing two winners of the fabric holiday tags.....Soccer Mom1 and Judy, of Judy's Postcards Plus...I will be contacting both the winners for their tag selections within the next day..and congratulations!

I do have tags still in my etsy shop....reindeer and Saint Nickolas tags with free shipping........but will not be listing any more this year...I will have another giveaway next month with a Valentine candle mat....and am starting some very pretty spring tags and mats for my shop....

We are expecting two big storms that will be coming in today and again on Wednesday...its very cold here today....and you can see the storm clouds gathering...the first storm is coming down from Canada...they say its going to be below freezing tonight so maybe we will get some snow....its predicted to rain most of tomorrow and the second storm comes in on Wednesday or so but won't be as cold..we haven't wanted to turn the furnace on, but I am shivering slightly sitting here at the computer and have a sweater on too.....brrr....

Alan was in the garage, getting the Christmas ornments down when he ran across a whole box of old VHS tapes..back in the early 90s, we taped alot of PBS mysteries, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, etc. He came in the house, gleeful, saying he had struck the mother lode......yesterday and today all we've done is watch these... Of course, that is not exactly true.....the big guy put up our tree and is in the process of reorganizing the garage....he moved the old sofa out there and is planning on setting up a TV so during warmer months we can watch TV in the garage......dvds anyway..........its alot cooler out there during the summer...many of our neighbors do this..kinda funny driving down the street and seeing people in their garages watching big screens...

Friday, December 4, 2009

Last night it was below freezing outside.....cold cold cold..and hasn't warmed up like it usually does during the day...hasn't gotten much above 65 which is unusual for Southern California....we just are not used to colder weather...we all have thin blood......I heard that Houston was having a snow storm...brrr....

I am slowly getting Christmas decorating done....got the village out but it still needs some tweaking....usually takes a few days then and there to finish it........that's the china cabinet that Alan built....you know the history of it, we were given a old china cabinet from around 1920 era that had been in a fire...the back was complete toast....but we liked the design so Alan made plans and copied it.....he added the glass doors and lighting as the original didn't have those features...its golden oak..which I love...I was also going to show you the planter we found in an abandoned house..this was in the garage under a pile of trash..fortunately, it was in a box...

Isn't it cute? and in perfect condition after a little scrubbing..the felt is off the bottom so I will add a piece to protect the counter or table..

I recently discovered a new blog (new to me anyway) and thought I'd pass it along to you..as you know, I am always looking for ways to save $$ .....this fellow is called the 99 cent Chef as he cooks only using groceries from the 99 cent store..and it is possible!...As we are having fish and chips tonight, I posted his which is up above.......there are quite a few of his videos on Youtube and his blog, is called (naturally) The 99 Cent Chef we have a 99 cent store in a neighboring town but haven't shopped there much..maybe we will in the future....our Winco sells good Tilipia fish for 1 lb. at 2.58 which I think is cheap enough...I don't know if I'd want 99 cent fish but it looks good.

Only two more days until my giveaway drawing.....two days! if you haven't signed up..please do so, ....if you are a winner, I will be contacting you so you can let me know what design tag you want.......

Thursday, December 3, 2009

This is the house we re keyed up in Hemet, Ca....I liked the looks of it as soon as we drove up...it has a real country house feeling to it...its been abandoned for a few months so the yard is suffering but what potential! We've always liked ranch style homes.....here is the family room with a nice corner brick fireplace....It has quality tile floors in the main areas of the house and has good carpeting in all of the 4 bedrooms.....its really fairly move in ready, other than some painting, carpet cleaning and it does need new appliances in the kitchen as the previous owners took them out..but is a good sized kitchen for a family with a large granite island, lots of cupboards and good stuff..the cabinets are high quality too...but what is the most outstanding thing of this house is the yard!!!! This house sits on several acres and its so lovely, even in the abandoned state that its in....very tropical looking

A pool with a large waterfall.......palm trees and

a complete pro volleyball area.....can you believe it?

we were rather blown away as this isn't typical of the houses we re key..this is a very special house..its also on a street with no traffic....if you are reading this, and are interested..let me know and I will get you in touch with the realtor...I do think it would be a wonderful buy for an active large family...I don't often post about houses we re key but like I said, this one is "something else"we had two other places to re key and on the way, I took a few photos of the dairy farms that where on the way....and also a sod farm....alot of sod is grown here..these machines are maintaining the sod...now you know where Home Depot gets it..

a modern dairy farmhouse..couldn't forget the ladies...

not the greatest photos, but the best I could do, traveling 60 miles down the road...

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

I know I usually post dog of the week on Wednesday but we left early this morning..I helped Alan re key 3 houses.....and we just got back this afternoon a little late..I am pooped......but it was fun...one house had some cool items we were able to take home with us...we also drove by alot of dairy farms and I took tons of photos which I will share tomorrow.....I wanted to post a couple of photos of our start at Christmas decorating..I don't have much out yet butThis is a very pretty crocheted large doily, trimmed in red..I put one of my candle mats on top

Last year, I made alot of faux baked goods from different mediums..some salt dough (the bread loaf and pie crust, some warm and natural batting (the donuts) and some cinnamon dough (the gingerbread man.(.he looks like a wise guy)..the apple pie is one I made too and smells so good of cinnamon and apples....the red cloth underneath is one of my grandmothers with the huck weaving.....sorry, the lighting isn't too good. I hope to get more out tomorrow...right now, I am all for a cup of tea and put my feet up!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

I've been putting away all the fall themed decorations and going into Christmas decorating this week......packed up all the sunflowers, fall leaves, Pilgrims and turkeys.......as I was packing them away, I realized how dusty everything was so the next day or two will be clean up before I put up the Christmas things.......too much time on the computer and crafting..I guess.....

I did start a little and was going to post a photo but blogger won't let me....so that will be for another day.....not a little frustrating...I hope this problem won't be for long....

Another interesting blog is Where Women Create...right now they are having the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway..each day a different artist will be featured along with one of their creations to be given away......so please just click on the Women Create logo on the left hand side of the blog to enter......I am also a follower of theirs on Facebook......